"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Vuelta Stage 11: San Vicente del Raspeig - Caravaca de la Cruz

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Fun looking stage that should favor an uphill sprinter. Valverde? Successful breakaways perhaps. I think Floyd is going to give up the gold jersey today, but has a chance to take it back in the coming weeks.

Unbelievable. Zabriskie has a 20 minute lead on the peloton with 100km to go. Don't think he'll be able to hold, but I'm rooting for him.

On Belgian television (live coverage) they praise Zabriskie for the considerable average speed he develops all on his own.

I am quite impressed by his style: he graps the shifter cables in what is called the "Bartoli style" overhere (to immitate a TT bar) and sits very still on his bike: virtually only his legs do the job, he doesn't "work" with his torso if you know what I mean.

BTW, Valverde seriously crashed but is still on his bike.

Valverde apparently had a big crash shortly after Zabriskie had attacked. His bike is junk, as is his shorts, and he has a new jersey (the old one has a big hole on the back). Scraped elbow, bandage on the left hip and a cut below the left knee (and, judging from the jersey, some road rash on his back). He does not look very comfortable on his new bike.

Edit: I'm guessing Zabel for the stage.

/Csson

Hell of a nice ride.

Great show by Zabriskie. Reminds me of the monumental TdF stage in Normandy won by Thierry Marie (1992?)

Great show by Zabriskie. Reminds me of the monumental TdF stage in Normandy won by Thierry Marie (1992?)

Yep. Jacky Durand had a similar solo ride in the TDF several years back also.

The name Chiapucci comes to mind, but would be even more appropriate if this were a real mountain stage.

Zabriskie is one tough mother****er.

WOW. From Cyclingnews.com: "His ability to recover will surely be welcome as after the finish today he had trouble walking or climbing the podium stairs without assistance."

Yeah, I'd say he's tough. While he definitely benefited from Valverde's crash, that's mighty impressive. A lesson in staying aero and keeping a smooth pedal stroke.

I hope Valverde's as tough. Sounds like he beefed it pretty good.

DZ no doubt benefited immensly from Valverde's crash. The peloton pretty much just rolled along for the next 100km after it. But it was still a nice ride and excellent tactics that played well into the opportunity presented to USPS. They basically got a day off since all they had to do was stay in the wheels today.

Incredible. Does everyone realize that in this stage Zabriskie rode a century (103 miles) solo in 4 hours 5 minutes? And an uphill century at that? Wow.

Are you guys watching this race on television or are you just quoting it from VeloNews. If it can be viewed on TV, I would like to know where. I am very disapointed that OLN deciced not to cover it this year. With the Posties and Americans doing so well this year it would have been a great drawing card.

Are you guys watching this race on television or are you just quoting it from VeloNews. If it can be viewed on TV, I would like to know where. I am very disapointed that OLN deciced not to cover it this year. With the Posties and Americans doing so well this year it would have been a great drawing card.

Go to www.cyclingnews.com and click on the Live coverage link in the daily coverage section of the Vuelta. It's in the left column at the top every morning.

Or go to www.eurosport.com and click on cycling and click on the Live button in the daily coverage of the Vuelta.

Are you guys watching this race on television or are you just quoting it from VeloNews. If it can be viewed on TV, I would like to know where. I am very disapointed that OLN deciced not to cover it this year. With the Posties and Americans doing so well this year it would have been a great drawing card.

When we say 'we watch live updates on the internet', as if we have some high quality video feed... we really mean we read text updates.
And then I'm sure there are some posters either living in a country with TV coverage, or have gotten a TV package to include TVI (or whatever it is called)

Here on our side of the big blue pond we are blessed with live coverage on Belgian television. Today they rest so I'm watching live coverage of the GP de Wallonie. Thomas Voeckler is out on a solo but won't make it.

That's it, I'm moving to Belgium.

LOL ;)

BTW, Wallonie was won by Belgian Quick Step talent Nuyens who also won Paris-Brussels last weekend.

LOL ;)

BTW, Wallonie was won by Belgian Quick Step talent Nuyens who also won Paris-Brussels last weekend.

Interesting young talent. Just 24. Good showing in the Tour of Britian also.

www.trap-friis.dk/cykling/belgien.Nuyens.htm

Are you guys watching this race on television or are you just quoting it from VeloNews. If it can be viewed on TV, I would like to know where. I am very disapointed that OLN deciced not to cover it this year. With the Posties and Americans doing so well this year it would have been a great drawing card.

I live in Sweden, so I get Eurosport. Usually they show the last two hours or so, but sometimes (like tomorrow) they show entire stages :).

/Csson